Thrush Treatment For Women

What is thrush?

Thrush is a common yeast infection found in men and women. It is more commonly known as vaginal thrush in women and is not an STI, although it can be transmitted to men during sexual intercourse. It is recommended to avoid sex if you have vaginal thrush until it is treated. Thrush can cause itchy skin and swelling around the vagina and a thick creamy discharge. It causes no serious harm but is really uncomfortable for those who have experienced it.

What is the cause of thrush?

Majority of the time thrush is caused by the yeast infection ‘candida albicans’ but it can also be instigated by sex especially if the vagina is dry and unable to produce and lubrication. Although it is found in men and women, it is more common in women.

What are the symptoms of thrush?

Thrush can sometimes shows no symptoms especially in men. However vaginal thrush in women can cause itchiness, swelling around the vagina and sometimes at the entrance, soreness and a cottage cheese like creamy discharge. Penile thrush in men causes a sore penis, itchiness, tight skin around the head and a discharge.

What does thrush look like?

In women, it is swelling around the vagina, irritated and itchy skin and an unpleasant creamy white discharge from the vagina, in some more severe cases even swelling of the vaginal entrance. For men it normally affects the penis causing irritation around the head of the penis, redness and a discharge. For both sexes the inflammation can lead to a burning sensation when urinating.

Why do some people get thrush and others don’t?

Candida albican, the yeast which causes the infection is naturally occurring in the human body therefore anyone can get thrush. However the reason why it becomes activated for some people and not others is not conclusive. Although thrush is more prominent in women who are pregnant, diabetic or taking antibiotics for a weak immune system, but it mostly activates without a reason.

• If you have not been diagnosed with thrush before then speak to your GP for a proper diagnosis to confirm it is thrush
• Thrush treatments do not cure any sexually transmitted infections, only thrush
• If your symptoms don’t settle within 10 days with treatment then speak to your GP
• Fluconazole capsule is not recommended for use in pregnancy

Does my partner need treatment if I have been diagnosed with thrush?

Thrush is not an STI but can be passed through vaginal intercourse. Thrush can also flare up without any reason since the yeast is present naturally in both men and women. It is common to see thrush being passed between partners and the man does not necessarily have to show any symptoms for it. It is recommended for men and women who get recurring bouts of thrush to also get their partner treated to prevent the infection being passed back and forth.

DrFelix offers the following thrush treatments for women dispatched from our NHS community pharmacy:

• Canesten Soft Gel Combi (Clotrimazole) 1 Dual Pack (500mg pessary + 2% double-strength thrush cream)
• Canesten Cream Combi (Clotrimazole) 1 Dual Pack (Internal and external creams)
• Canesten Thrush Cream (Clotrimazole) 20g tube 2% cream
• Canesten 100mg Pessary (Clotrimazole) 6 pessaries of 100mg with applicator
• Fluconazole 150mg single-capsule pack one single dose treatment

How quickly does the thrush treatment work?

Thrush symptoms will normally settle fully within 10days from when you start the treatment. Women with the issue of recurring thrush bouts may need to get treated regularly i.e. few weeks or months.

If thrush symptoms do not clear up completely in 10 day, you should speak to your GP.

Thrush creams and pessaries can cause irritation and itchiness.

Fluconazole/Diflucan 150mg single dose anti-fungal capsule can cause diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and flatulence. Serious side effects of thrush treatment are rare.

See the patient information leaflet for your treatment for a full list of side effects before use.